JERUSALEM – The attorney general of Israel plans to indict President Moshe Katsav on charges of rape and other sexual offenses, the Justice Ministry announced Tuesday, in what would be the most serious criminal case involving a senior Israeli official.

Katsav, whose post is largely ceremonial, has denied any wrongdoing. He did not comment Tuesday, but planned to hold a news conference today, his lawyers said.

“The president is convinced that he is a victim of false allegations and attempts to remove him from his office, and he will fight to prove his innocence,” David Libai, a lawyer for Katsav, said at a news conference in Tel Aviv.

The Justice Ministry announcement prompted more calls for the president to resign, which have been intensifying since the accusations surfaced last summer.

“I think the president must announce his resignation at once,” Zahava Gal-On, a member of parliament, told Israel Radio.

“I believe he should have taken this step a long time ago, but now, with the attorney general’s announcement of such a harsh indictment, there should be no delay,” she said.

Through his lawyers, Katsav, 61, has indicated previously that he might suspend himself at some point, and would resign if indicted. Though he has generally maintained a low profile, in recent weeks he has been more visible and has hinted he would rather contest the charges from office, Israeli news organizations have reported.

If he chooses to remain in office, Katsav would be afforded a hearing before any charges are filed. But the public announcement by the Justice Ministry made it highly likely that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz would ultimately issue an indictment.

Israeli law prohibits putting a sitting president on trial. But a trial is permitted if he resigns, is impeached by parliament or after his seven-year term, which will end this summer.

According to the Justice Ministry, Katsav could face a rape charge involving a woman who worked with him when he was tourism minister in the late 1990s. He also could be charged with sexual misconduct involving three women who have worked at the president’s office since 2000.

Katsav, who is married and is the father of five, could also face charges of fraud and breach of trust, the Justice Ministry said.

Because the authority of the president is limited, Katsav’s case is not expected to have a direct impact on the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Katsav’s case became public last July when he said he was the target of blackmail by a woman who had worked for him and accused him of sexual harassment.

However, an investigation by the police found the woman’s claims to be credible, and several other women accused Katsav of sexual impropriety.